Since the creation of State there has been considerable expansion and improvement in educational facilities and enrolment at elementary stages, as evident from survey reports conducted by different agencies Department is striving hard to successfully implement the Sarva Shikcha Abhiyan Programme (SSA), the flagship programme for achieving the goals of elementary education.

School education has four broad stages Primary (I-V), Upper Primary (VI-VIII), Secondary (IX-X) and Higher Secondary +2 (XI-XII) level schooling.SSA has achieved the goals of access and enrolment to a large extent covering Primary and Upper Primary stages. Now in the 12th Plan period stress will be given on the quality in elementary sector and universalization of secondary and higher secondary education.

In pursuance of the national policy of education 1986 and its programme of action 1992, recommendations made by CAEB and different other national and state policy making bodies steps would be taken to spread, strengthen, consolidate and institutionalize the achievement of these two areas in the remaining years of 12th plan period. This task is very difficultand challenging but not unachievable. A firm commitment and planned strategy will make the path easier.

Another area where focus would be required is the area of higher education or the degree colleges. Present status of this area is not very encouraging. Access, quality, lack of infrastructure is the areas of concern. It requires a long term plan. and strategies to improve the situation. State does not have adequate number of degree colleges in remote areas. There are thirteen identified Educationally backward districts which are deficient in Higher Education facility. 3 universities viz Law University, Nilambar Pitambar and Kolhan University are to be estb. and developed. Inclusion of modern time tuned curriculum and use of ICT for imparting education and good quality infrastructure is an urgently felt need.

VOCATIONALISATION OF SECONDARY & HIGHER SECONDARY EDUCATION

The aim of introducing Vocational Education at Secondary level and Higher Secondary level is to enhance the employability of youth through demand driven competency based, modular vocational courses and at the same time reduce the dropout rate at the Secondary level.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Vocationalisation of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education approved by the Cabinet in September, 2011 has been recently revised on 12 February 2014 with a view to align it with the National Skill Qualification Frame work into which the NVEQF issued by the Ministry of HRD, GOI on 2nd Sep 2012 has been assimilated. The NSQF document is available on the website of National Skill Development Authority on their website: www.skilldevelopment.gov.in

The revised scheme while introducing Vocational Education at the Secondary level, seeks to integrate Vocational Education with general education and provide horizontal and vertical mobility to the students. It envisages close partnership with the industry in the design, development, delivery, assessment and certification of skills content. The Revised Scheme Guidelines of the scheme are available on the websites: www.rmsaindia.org.in and www.mhrd.gov.in under the section of Vocational Education.

COMPONENT OF SCHEME

The components of the scheme include introduction of vocational education in government schools from Class IX, capacity building of existing vocational education teachers through in-service training and induction training for new vocational education teachers, development of competency based modules for each individual vocational course, performance linked incentive to government aided and recognized, unaided private schools.